Student Community Relations (SCR), part of Support Services and Community Engagement in Student Affairs, is expanding its outreach activities to connect with students living off-campus.

Working collaboratively with stakeholders on- and off-campus, SCR acts as a liaison among the university, city officials, and students. SCR provides a point of contact for neighborhood relations activities, including educational resources, conflict coaching, and community building with peers and Kingston residents.

Mary Ann Tierney joined the Support Services and Community Engagement team this past August in the newly reconfigured position of Manager, Student Community Relations. Tierney was previously at Brock University, where she spent 13 years in student services.

“I am very excited to be at Queen’s and bring my strong student-centered experience and approach, understanding of town and gown issues, and ability to connect with broader community partners to this role,” says Tierney. “I hear from some students, especially among those who haven’t lived in residence, that it can be a challenge to figure out what off-campus community means to them. One of my goals is to educate students on how to be good neighbours, help them learn about Kingston, and how to connect with peers and the broader Kingston community.”

In October, SCR ran community door knocks to check-in on students’ overall wellbeing, their midterm experiences, and to talk about local bylaws, gathering limits, and vaccine requirements. SCR connected with more than 600 students and knocked on hundreds of doors.

Later this month, SCR will be back out in in the University District and West Campus areas. Goodies and helpful resources will be distributed in preparation for exams. In December, SCR is planning a door decorating contest to encourage students to use recyclables in a creative way for the holidays.

“We are hoping this will be an opportunity for students to take a well-deserved study break and work with their housemates to build some community in their neighbourhood,” says Tierney.

As part of expanded student support, SCR is hiring a team of Off-Campus Peer Ambassadors, who will work on community outreach, safety programs, and educational initiatives. These students will provide peer-to-peer support and social programming, increasing students’ sense of belonging and commitment to Queen’s and their fellow students.